First Time Visitors Information  - Welcome to the Christiana United Methodist Church! 

Our Vision - The Loving, Caring, Sharing Church!  Everyone is Welcome!

Location - 14 South Bridge Street (Bridge Street and Walker Alley) Christiana, PA 17509 [Christiana Borough - Lancaster County - Pennsylvania]  (Just South of Gap, PA, North of Cochranville, PA, West of Atglen/Parkesburg, PA and East of Quarryville, PA)  There is an interactive map on the home page that will help you locate the church.

Parking - Free parking behind the church along Walker Alley.   

Handicapped Parking - Available in front of the church on Bridge Street.  There are no signs but you can park along the curb on the church side of the street.

Handicapped Access - Access ramp to Sanctuary available on Bridge Street.  Lower level access available via Walker Alley entrance.   Chair lift is available between levels.

Worship Hours - Sunday School / Adult Group starts at 9:45 AM (September through May) and the Worship Service starts at 11:00 AM each Sunday (All year long).

Special Services - Holy Thursday (Thursday before Easter - usually 7PM); National Day of Prayer (Time/Date Varies); Day before Thanksgiving (Community Service - Location Varies but usually 7PM); Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (usually 7PM). 

Dress - Church members wear formal to casual attire so you will fit in no matter your attire.  The Sanctuary is not air-conditioned so feel free to dress appropriately for summer weather.

Special Accommodations - We would like to make your worship here at the Christiana United Methodist Church as comfortable as possible.  If you have special needs or ideas, please let the greeters or pastor know how we may help you. 

Service - Mix of Praise/Worship/Hymns - about one hour in duration --- Service normally consists of the following:  Welcome and Announcements; Invitation to Worship; Piano Prelude; Call to Worship; Hymn of Adoration; Opening Prayer; Message for the Youth; Song of Praise; Scripture Lesson; Sermon; Hymn of Response; Testimonies, Praises, and Prayer Requests; Praising God with our Tithes and Offerings; Offertory Response; Hymn of Commitment; Commission; Benediction; and Piano Postlude.

Seating - There is no assigned seating, feel free to sit wherever you like! (Two exceptions...if you sit at the organ you will have to play...if you sit in the pulpit, you will have to preach)

Nursery - Nursery service is available, just ask the greeter at the main entrance to the church when you arrive.  The nursery is located in the lower level of the church addition. 

Children - Children are always welcome!    Activity bags are available for children in the sanctuary with crayons, coloring sheets, puzzles, connect-the-dots, etc.  The Pastor has a special message each week for our youth.

Building Layout Information - The main Sanctuary and Overflow room are located upstairs with the main entrance on Bridge Street.  Additional rooms upstairs include the Pastor's Office, Church Office, Choir Room, Library, Sunday school and Small Group Rooms.

The lower level includes Fellowship Hall (dining/kitchen area), Restrooms, Sunday school and Small Group Rooms.

There is an additional entrance for the lower level on Walker Alley which is open during Sunday School.   This entrance is locked for security reasons during the Worship Service however the main entrances on Bridge Street will remain open. 

Restrooms - Men's Restroom is located in the lower level near the Kitchen in Fellowship Hall and is newly renovated.   The Women's Restroom is located in the main lower level hallway near the stairwell to the upper level.  An additional Children's Restroom is located next to the nursery.

Sunday School / Small Group - From September through May, Sunday School / Small Groups meet at 9:45 AM.   Men's Group meet in the kitchen,  Women's Group meet in the upper level addition next to the church office.  Adult (men and women) Sunday School meet in the overflow area in the Sanctuary.  Children's Sunday School location varies depending on age - please ask anyone for assistance. 

Offering - We want you to focus on your visit as we celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ and not to have to worry about putting money in the collection plate!  We want to support your spiritual growth and recognize that everyone has their own unique situation; so feel free to pass the collection plate without any hesitation.  However, if you do want to share your gifts to support our ministry efforts, they are welcome and appreciated.  If you don't have cash, you can use a check, in any amount, made out to CUMC.  Donations or Memorial Gifts can always be mailed to Christiana United Methodist Church P. O. Box 45 Christiana, PA 17509

How Much Do I Give? - There is no requirement to give anything when you visit as we are glad you came to visit with us.  Hopefully you will become a regular visitor and God will let you know what is appropriate. 

Where Do My Financial Gifts Go? - Of our small annual budget, 50% supports the individual efforts of our Pastor, Administrative Assistant, Pianist, and Custodian;  30% for operational costs such as church maintenance, property taxes, insurance, supplies, etc;  and 20% we return directly to the community for community outreach, local and international missions, education, special programs, Sunday School, vacation bible school, connectional ministries that support larger United Methodist programs, and  donations to our local fire and ambulance companies.  There are a number of missions that we support financially and through voluntary donations of time and equipment.  Please see our ministry page for additional information.

Ministry Opportunities - I want to help my community but don't know how?  The Christiana United Methodist Church supports the community in many ways.  Please refer to our ministry page for additional information.   Please feel free to ask anyone at the church if you would like additional information on how to help or if you would like to join any of our committees, join the choir, help with youth activities, etc.  You are under no obligation so feel free to ask any questions that you might have. 

Contact Information - Office (610) 593-6270 - christianaumc@epix.net; Pastor Elaine Bortman (610) 857-5782 - elainebortman@yahoo.com ; Church Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday 8:45AM to 2:00PM.  Please send any website comments/questions/corrections to cumcwebmaster@comcast.net

 I Need Prayer - Feel free to use our online prayer request for any needs you have.  Your request will be forwarded to our webmaster and to our Pastor if you request.  Click here http://www.christianachurch.org/Prayer.dsp